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The Basics of Window Curtains

No window is complete without an appropriate curtain accompaniment. However, window curtain ideas can be hard to come by if you’re unfamiliar with the different types of curtains and the window styles they complement. Luckily, our window curtain ideas guide is a great place to find window curtain ideas for your home.

If you're looking for inspiration in the form of window curtain ideas to refresh your windows, look no further. There are many different kinds of curtains for your windows, but to make your window curtain ideas simpler, we’ve organized these types into three main groups:

Panel Window Curtains

The most basic and versatile curtain, panel curtains can easily satisfy your window curtain ideas. Essentially, panel curtains are large, usually solid lengths of material that are secured to a curtain rod and then hung vertically in front of a window. Panel curtains usually compliment any kind of window, although they are particularly well suited to large window spaces, such as bay windows. Panel curtains will most likely be best when used on windows in communal rooms, such as the living room.

Café Window Curtains

Café curtains may fuel your more creative window curtain ideas. These curtains are distinctive because they hang from a rod secured at the window’s halfway point, meaning that they cover only the window’s lower half. Café curtains offer less privacy than panels, but they are highly customizable. Though originally used in cafés, café curtains make great curtain windows ideas for your home and are often used to complement kitchen and bathroom windows.

Valances

An elegant addition to your window curtain ideas, valances cover the top of the window. Valances are sometimes called window toppers, and they are often used in conjunction with café curtains to provide more privacy, or with panel curtains for an extra dash of sophistication. If used with café curtains, valances are great window curtain ideas for your kitchen and bathroom windows. If used by themselves, they are best used in rooms where privacy might not be important, such as the living room.

Costs for Window Curtains

Window curtain ideas come with varying costs, as window treatments have a wide range of different qualities and styles. In general, the lower end of curtains cost about $30 to $100, while higher-end curtains can cost $200 t $300, including materials purchased and installation labor. Valances are generally cheaper than full-size curtains, and usually can be purchased for about $5 to $60.

Repairs and Maintenance for Your Window Curtains

In order to turn your window curtain ideas into reality and properly care for them, it’s important to follow a diligent maintenance routine. The collection of dust and dirt is one of the most common problems with window treatments, so make sure to vacuum them regularly to prevent the build-up of grime. Machine wash your curtains only when the label specifically lists it as an option, and dry them either on a gentle tumble setting or on an old-fashioned laundry line. Pleated curtains are not machine washable, and forcing large curtains into a small washer can damage them.

For more help with your window curtain ideas, check our helpful database to find a qualified contractor near you.